The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has added a high-density housing (HDH) component to its flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program, aiming to provide more housing opportunities for informal settler families (ISFs) in congested urban areas. Under Department Order 2025-021, issued on December 9, HDH will be formally integrated into the expanded 4PH initiative to …
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Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Friday filed a measure aimed at regulating parking fees nationwide, setting standardized rates, and holding establishments accountable for damage or loss to vehicles. Senate Bill 1001, or the Parking Fee Regulation Act, seeks to protect consumers from excessive charges while promoting transparency among malls, commercial establishments, institutions, and private parking operators. The measure encourages free …
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The Sandiganbayan has formally declared former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co a fugitive from justice and ordered the immediate cancellation of his Philippine passport. In an eight-page resolution dated December 10, the anti-graft court cited Co’s refusal to submit to its authority as evidence of his intent to remain outside the court’s jurisdiction. “It must be emphasized that the …
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The past week delivered a barrage of headlines—some expected, some troubling, and one truly astonishing. Businessman Atong Ang has reportedly been charged in connection with the long-running investigation into the disappearance of several sabungeros. Gretchen Barretto, frequently entangled in the public conversation, is notably excluded from the case. Meanwhile, the Commission on Audit flagged a government office for procuring ₱13 million worth …
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LOVE FOR ALLBy: Virginia Rodriguez There are few images more striking in Philippine politics than that of the President of the Republic rolling into Malacañang aboard a kiddie train. Yet on Saturday, that was precisely how President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their youngest son Vinny, chose to open the annual Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya …
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President Marcos has appointed veteran journalist and Market Monitor Lifestyle Editor Nestor Cuartero as member of the board of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), effective immediately. Cuartero, who joined the weekly business newspaper TMM last year, will join Maria Rosario Fabregas, and Maria Cecilia Villarosa as the newest members of the MTRCB, headed by …
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By Tracy Cabrera MALATE, Manila — Amidst the accusations and black propaganda from critics, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. has doggedly sought to reverse the negativity by directing all efforts of government to strengthen our country’s economy and thus uplift the lives of millions of Filipinos families. In this bid, the chief executive is seeking moral reformation by directing Congress …
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BATASAN, Quezon City — House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos appeared before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) after his name surfaced in allegations raised by former lawmaker Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co regarding supposed insertions in the national budget. In appearing before the Commission, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PBBM)’s son was not treated as an accused and the ICI does not issue …
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By Tracy Cabrera VATICAN CITY, Rome — It’s not only the Philippines which has been shaken by greed and corruption connected with the flood control scandal, even the Catholic Church has been struggling from financial losses wrought by mismanagement and irregularities. Pope Francis tried to stem the widening gap in Vatican’s dwindling finances and during his final illness before his death, …
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AMIDST government’s slim chance of recovering hundreds of billions in squandered funds connected to the flood control scandal, a non-government organization (NGO) is floating the idea that could somehow appease the anger felt by majority of Filipino taxpayers over widespread corruption among high-ranking government officials. In a recent interview, veteran journalist and Filipino Consumers for Reform (Filcore) spokesperson Tracy Cabrera …
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